Visiting Alishan in non-large tour group buses also requires reservations from December

▲ The stunning sea of clouds is one of Alishan’s Five Wonders. (Photo provided by Alishan New Impression fan page, taken by Huang Yuanming. This photo has been authorized for publication by the author. Please do not reproduce without permission.)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

To alleviate the heavy flow of people and vehicles entering the Alishan National Scenic Area in the mornings, the Chiayi Forest District Office has mandated that group visitors who do not travel by Class A or B large buses but qualify for group discount tickets must also make reservations starting January 1, 2015.

The Alishan Forest Recreation Area, known for its diverse mountain and forest landscapes, is a popular destination for both domestic and international travelers. As of the 27th, cumulative visitor numbers have surpassed 2.5 million, setting a new annual record. However, as the recreation area is a high-altitude forest environment, the concentration of large group visitors in the mornings has overloaded its facilities.

To manage crowd distribution and reduce environmental impact, the Forest District Office implemented a reservation-based admission system for large tour buses starting March 2013. However, this measure could no longer accommodate the continuously growing number of visitors. After evaluation, to maintain recreational quality, the office has expanded the crowd control policy to include group visitors traveling in non-Class A or B large buses who purchase 20 or more full-price group tickets. These groups must now make online reservations before their visit date and present both the “Reservation Confirmation Form” and a printed “Group Member Roster” to purchase group discount tickets for entry.

The Chiayi Forest District Office stated that the new regulation will be piloted for one month starting December 1 and officially enforced after the New Year’s Day holiday. For detailed procedures, please visit the Chiayi Forest District Office’s official website.